By Anora Mahmudova and Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The S&P 500 and Dow Jones
Industrial Average climbed to record levels for the second straight
day Thursday, after European Central Bank president Mario Draghi
hinted at monetary stimulus of as much as EUR1 trillion.
Better-than-expected jobless claims data as well as productivity
report also may have served to drive the markets higher.
ECB President Mario Draghi reiterated that ECB policy makers are
unanimously committed to using unconventional measures if needed to
maintain price stability. In other words, the ECB could use
outright QE, if deemed necessary. Read: Don't mess with Mario
Draghi
The S&P 500 (SPX) added 7.64 points, or 0.4%, to 2,031.21,
with energy and industrial sectors leading the gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) gained 69.94 points, or
0.4%, to 17,544.47, while the Dow Transports recorded its highest
level, adding 113 points, or 1.3%, to 8,952.91.
The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) closed 17.75 points, or 0.4%, higher
at 4,638.47.
Need to Know: Gold doesn't stand a chance, but utilities do
In economic news, the number of Americans applying for new
jobless benefits lingered below 300,000 for the eighth straight
week amid the lowest level of layoffs in years. U.S. productivity
in the third quarter grew at a 2% annual pace, preliminary data
show, marking the fourth sizable increase in the past five
quarters.
Tesla, Whole Foods among stocks to watch: Tesla (TSLA) shares
rose 4.4% after the electric-car maker's results topped
expectations, though it lowered its delivery forecast for 2014.
Whole Foods(WFM) climbed 12% after the upscale grocer reported a
rise in third-quarter earnings and lifted its quarterly
dividend.
Hospira Inc.'s (HSP) shares surged 6.7% after the pharmaceutical
company reported profit of 158.6 billion, beating analysts'
estimates.
Genworth Financial, Inc. (GNW) sank 38% trading after the former
spinoff from General Electric Co. registered a record net loss on
higher expenses.
(Read more about the day's notable stocks in Movers &
Shakers column:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/walt-disney-zynga-tesla-in-focus-2014-11-06.)
Other markets:Europe stocks remained rebounded and finished
higher after the ECB president Mario Draghi's said the bank is
prepared to inject liquidity into eurozone economy.
While the comments boosted equities, the euro fell to a two-year
low.
The Nikkei 225 fell 0.9%, pulling back after gaining more than
10% in the previous five sessions. The losses came despite a
seven-year high for the U.S. dollar (USDJPY) against the yen, which
tapped Yen115 before pulling back.
Oil(CLZ4) prices fell, while gold(GCZ4) settled lower.
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